The most iconic stars of Hollywood consistently blow us away with their latest projects. However, not many people know how they got to this point. There was a time when they were hardly known in the industry. Regardless, they have definitely come a long way from their first screen project. It might be hard to imagine a time when Johnny Depp, Robert De Niro, and Leonardo DiCaprio were not yet household names, but they used to be nobodies at first. Their evolution has been truly inspiring. We hope that you will feel inspired to chase your dreams by the end of this slideshow.
Look At How Far These Hollywood Actors Have Come Since Their Movie Debuts
Leonardo DiCaprio Then
Before Leonardo DiCaprio made his debut on the big screen, he had already appeared in a couple of TV shows. In 1991, the budding actor finally landed his first movie project. He had been 16 years old when he worked on a movie called Critters 3, which is a horror flick about small, furry aliens.
Leonardo DiCaprio Then
Leonardo DiCaprio Now
These days, Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood. As a matter of fact, he might be one of the most famous on the planet. Fans were outraged that it took him a long time before he won an Oscar, but he now has one for his great performance in The Revenant.
Leonardo DiCaprio Now
Johnny Depp Then
It is hard to look at Johnny Depp without thinking of him as Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka, or the Mad Hatter. However, people did not know much about him when he made his film debut in Nightmare on Elm Street. When he brought Glen to life, the actor had been no more than 21 years old.
Johnny Depp Then
Johnny Depp Now
The actor has been active in the industry since 1984. Over the years, Johnny Depp has become known for playing quirky parts that require a lot of make-up and prosthetics to bring to life. And on top of that, a lot of people know him as a collaborator of the filmmaker Tim Burton and actress Helena Bonham-Carter.
Johnny Depp Now
Hugh Jackman Then
Paperback Hero served as the debut movie of Hugh Jackman. In it, the Australian actor played Jack Willis, who is a truck driver with a knack for penning romance novels. It came out in 1999. Before that, he already had a couple of TV roles. He made his small-screen debut five years prior to that.
Hugh Jackman Then
Hugh Jackman Now
You probably know Hugh Jackman better for playing Van Helsing, Wolverine, P.T. Barnum, Jean Valjean, and other iconic characters. With so many movies under his belt, it goes without saying that he is a talented chap. He happens to be a talented singer as well! It is always fun to see what he gets up to.
Hugh Jackman Now
Neil Patrick Harris Then
True, Neil Patrick Harris is more famous for his work on the small screen. Despite this, it is worth noting that the actor got his start in a movie. He was in a 1988 movie called Clara’s Heart, which follows a family as it heals from the death of an infant. At the time it was filmed, he was 13 years old.
Neil Patrick Harris Then
Neil Patrick Harris Now
It is amazing to think that the same guy played Count Olaf, Doogie Howser, and Barney Stinson. We can’t wrap our heads around the fact that Harris has played them all, much less with the ease that he did. He has been in the industry for over thirty years now. His musical theater work is also admirable.
Neil Patrick Harris Now
Colin Firth Then
By now, Colin Firth is considered a hot commodity in Hollywood. His first movie role was for a 1984 film called Another Country. At the age of 23, he played a Marxist schoolboy called Judd. It was originally a play and follows the early life of a gay spy, of whom his character is a good friend.
Colin Firth Then
Colin Firth Now
Right now, Colin Firth is believed to have a net worth in the ballpark of $25 million. He has proven to us that he is one of the best actors in show business at the moment. Among other things, he has a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two BAFTAs to his name. Wow!
Colin Firth Now
Morgan Freeman Then
In 1971, Morgan Freeman finally got his first film credit. This came after a series of TV roles and several uncredited film roles. He made his official film debut in Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! The movie follows the last working Manhattan farm. When it came out, the actor was 34 years old.
Morgan Freeman Then
Morgan Freeman Now
While the actor is a little older than most people when he started acting, it did not take long before he made it big. Morgan Freeman is now a Golden Globe and Emmy winner. In 2017, he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for his work in the humanitarian sector and the film industry.
Morgan Freeman Now
Tom Hanks Then
You might be surprised to learn that the first movie that Tom Hanks starred in was a thriller. He was 24 years old when he landed his first big-screen role in a film called He Knows You’re Alone. It is about a bride-to-be who finds herself in danger as a serial killer stalks her.
Tom Hanks Then
Tom Hanks Now
No one needs to be introduced to Tom Hanks in this day and age. After all, he has pretty much dominated the industry by now with over 90 credits and a lot of box office hits under his belt. He has won two Oscars, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, eight Emmys, and four Golden Globes in the past. He also received consecutive nominations for Forrest Gump and Philadelphia.
Tom Hanks Now
George Clooney Then
Before George Clooney scored a made-for-TV movie called Combat Academy, he had already appeared in a number of TV shows. He had been 25 years old when he made his debut on the big screen. It follows two jokers as they get up to all kinds of hijinks while attending military school.
George Clooney Then
George Clooney Now
Things have turned out very well for George Clooney thanks to his good looks, charm, and acting skills. He is the proud recipient of two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. The actor also has a Lifetime Achievement Award courtesy of the American Film Institute. On top of that, he is believed to be worth $239 million. This makes him among the top-paid actors in the world right now.
George Clooney Now
Brad Pitt Then
After a couple of TV roles and uncredited movie roles, Brad Pitt earned his big break with The Dark Side of The Sun. He was 25 years old at the time. Released in 1988, the romance follows a young man as he tries to look for a cure for his skin condition and experiences life during this process.
Brad Pitt Then
Brad Pitt Now
There is no one quite like Brad Pitt in Hollywood at the moment. The actor has a BAFTA, an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Emmy, and two Golden Globes to his name. We have barely scratched the surface here! Over the course of thirty years or so, he has shown us that he can act like no one else in movies such as Fight Club, 12 Years a Slave, and Se7en.
Brad Pitt Now
Hugh Grant Then
In 1982, Hugh Grant earned his first big-screen role in Privileged. It follows a bunch of acting students at Oxford as they work on a dramatic production. The English actor had been 22 years old when he worked on this project. This was, of course, only the beginning for this talented man.
Hugh Grant Then
Hugh Grant Now
Is there anyone who deserves the title of romantic comedy king more than Hugh Grant? We really doubt it. Love, Actually, Notting Hill, and the Bridget Jones series would not have been the same if it had not been for him. He has since won a BAFTA and Golden Globe as well.
Hugh Grant Now
Jason Momoa Then
The first movie that Jason Momoa starred in was made for TV. He was in Baywatch: Hawaii for three years from 1999 to 2001. The actor then went on to appear in a wedding-themed big-screen film in the same series. At the time that he made his film debut, he had been 24 years old.
Jason Momoa Then
Jason Momoa Now
Just about anyone can recognize Jason Momoa these days. After all, he has given us iconic characters such as Aquaman and Khal Drogo not that long ago. His intimidating height and buff physique have made him the right guy for these roles. We dare you to tell us that he does not look like a warrior.
Jason Momoa Now
Denzel Washington Then
In 1977, Denzel Washington had his first big-screen role in a TV movie called Wilma. It is based on a true story! You should watch it if you have any interest at all in Wilma Rudolph, the famous American Olympic track sprinter. When the movie came out, the actor had only been 23 years old.
Denzel Washington Then
Denzel Washington Now
We are always impressed by Denzel Washington, whose career has spanned over four decades by now. He has a Tony Award, a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, two Academy Awards, and three Golden Globes to his name. In the past, he has portrayed real people such as Herman Boone and Malcolm X on the big screen. We are used to seeing him in the role of law enforcement or military servicemen.
Denzel Washington Now
Liam Neeson Then
Isn’t it hard to imagine Hollywood without Liam Neeson? After all, we have seen the actor play a lot of iconic roles through the years. In 1978, he made his movie debut in a big-screen adaptation of a novel called Pilgrim’s Progress. When it was released, the actor was no more than 25 years old.
Liam Neeson Then
Liam Neeson Now
A lot of people immediately think of Schindler’s List and the Taken movies when the actor is brought up. Liam Neeson has since made a fortune of $85 million, which is already amazing enough on its own, but let us not forget that he has also gotten plenty of awards and nominations.
Liam Neeson Now
Nicolas Cage Then
Who was Nicolas Cage before he became the big star that he now is? In 1982, the actor played a minor role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. You will not find his name as we know it now in the credits as he was listed as Nicolas Coppola instead. Back then, he was only 18 years old.
Nicolas Cage Then
Nicolas Cage Now
Over the years, Nicolas Cage has given us a lot of both memorable and memable performances. Can you believe that the actor has been in the industry for around four decades by now? Wow. The star is known to have a penchant for bringing “eccentric characters” to life and working on rather off-beat projects.
Nicolas Cage Now
John Travolta Then
After working on a number of TV projects, John Travolta finally appeared in a movie in 1975. It was for a horror flick called The Devil’s Rain. The plot is about the revenge of a dead Satanist leader. When the movie hit the cinemas, the actor was 21 years old. This was only the start for him.
John Travolta Then
John Travolta Now
We have since seen the actor star in plenty of iconic movies. His career has seen plenty of ups and downs as well. Among other things, John Travolta was in Grease, Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction. He is easy to recognize with his cleft chin and dancing skills, making him one of the most famous men in Hollywood.
John Travolta Now
Arnold Schwarzenegger Then
Hercules in New York was the first movie that Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in. If you look at the credits of the movie, you are going to find his name listed a bit differently. It instead says Arnold Strong “Mr. Universe.” When he was cast to play the titular role, the actor had only been 23 years old.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Then
Arnold Schwarzenegger Now
While he first got his start as a bodybuilder and pageant winner, Arnold Schwarzenegger made a name for himself as an actor instead. He is best known for portraying characters such as Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator. There was also the time that he served as the governor of California for quite some time.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Now
Robert De Niro Then
After a couple of uncredited movie roles, Robert De Niro finally got his big break by starring in a 1968 movie called Greetings. It came out when he was 25 years old. In the said movie, the actor plays an aspiring filmmaker called Jon, who happens to be a peeping tom as well. Oops.
Robert De Niro Then
Robert De Niro Now
There are not many actors who have reached the same level of success that Robert De Niro has seen. People love him because he can play complex characters with ease. We have all seen him in Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Godfather, and more. It would take us all day to list down every single movie that he has starred in. He has won two Golden Globes and two Oscars in the past.
Robert De Niro Now
Harrison Ford Then
It is hard to think of Harrison Ford as anything other than the heroes that we have since seen him play. After taking on several uncredited movie roles, the budding actor finally earned a role in A Time for Killing. When the Western war movie came out in 1967, he had been 25 years old.
Harrison Ford Then
Harrison Ford Now
If you ask us, it is a given that he would be famous. After all, Harrison Ford is simply the perfect guy to play Indiana Jones and Han Solo in the epic film franchises. His talents have not gone unnoticed either. Among other things, the Hollywood star has a BAFTA and Golden Globe under his belt.
Harrison Ford Now
Samuel L. Jackson Then
In 1973, Samuel L. Jackson got his first movie role in a film called Together for Days. It is about the relationship between a black activist and a white woman during the political turmoil of the ‘70s. When the movie came out, he had been 25 years old. As we all know, this was simply the start of his incredible career.
Samuel L. Jackson Then
Samuel L. Jackson Now
Over the years, the Hollywood legend has accumulated nearly 200 acting credits. It is not hard to see why Samuel L. Jackson is now the top-grossing actor in history. The Golden Globe winner has brought us iconic characters such as Nick Fury in recent years. On top of that, he was also in movies such as Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, Jurassic Park, and Goodfellas.
Samuel L. Jackson Now
Ryan Gosling Then
It is not a secret that Ryan Gosling got his start on Disney’s The All Mickey Mouse Club. After working on several TV shows, he finally got a supporting part in a 1996 movie called Frankenstein and Me. At the age of 15, he played a friend of the main character in the horror flick in question.
Ryan Gosling Then
Ryan Gosling Now
The actor has been in the industry for more than twenty years now. We have since seen him in La La Land, The Notebook, Gangster Squad, and so much more. He has also brought home a Golden Globe and has over twenty other acting awards to his name. We can see why he is now one of the top-paid actors on the planet.
Ryan Gosling Now
Jamie Foxx Then
Having initially started off doing stand-up, Foxx made the transition to the big screen in 1992, having his first on screen appearance in the 1992 film, Toys. He actually entered the industry quite late, at the age of 25. He started on television, even hosting his own sitcom show, The Jamie Foxx Show.
Jamie Foxx Then
Jamie Foxx Now
It would be an understatement to say that Foxx has dominated our screens over the years; he seems to be in just about everything! From hilarious comedies such as Horrible Bosses to critically-acclaimed films like Django Unchained, he has really reached the highest heights. He has also featured in other popular films like Law Abiding Citizen, alongside Gerard Butler, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Foxx is truly beloved by most and our cinema experiences wouldn’t quite be the same without him starring in some of our favorite films.
Jamie Foxx Now
Ryan Reynolds Then
Reynolds burst into the acting scene at the young age of 15, taking the role of Billy Simpson in Canadian-produced teen soap opera Hillside. This was only the beginning however, leading to recurring roles on The Odyssey, Syzgy and The X-Files. Reynold’s father was a Canadian Mounted Policeman and his mother was a retail saleswoman; it could have worked out a lot differently for Reynolds had he not found his way into television!
Ryan Reynolds Then
Ryan Reynolds Now
Reynolds has only gone on to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood right now! He made the role of Deadpool his own. We truly couldn’t imagine anyone else in that role! He just makes us laugh so much and he is just loveable. We love his marriage with Blake Lively; the two of them seem super well suited and only bring the best out of each other. Recently he starred in the successful, Free Guy.
Ryan Reynolds Now
Jake Gyllenhaal Then
Gyllenhaal broke onto the scene in 1991 appearing in City Slickers as Daniel Robbins. A few appearances in films and TV occurred until his breakout performance in thriller Donnie Darko, alongside his older sister Maggie Gyllenhaal. Due to his family ties, he was exposed to the industry from an early age. His parents allowed him to audition for roles often, but would make him turn many down if it required him being away from home for long periods.
Jake Gyllenhaall Then
Jake Gyllenhaal Now
Gyllenhaal has gone on to become one of the biggest and most relevant names in Hollywood; he seems to be in just about everything! His preferred genre definitely seems to be Thriller, and he has appeared in many low-key, top-scoring, award winning movies. Some notable films include Nightcrawler, Brokeback Mountain, Zodiac and most recently ‘Spiderman: Far From Home’. The Spiderman movie was Gyllenhaal’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we wonder if he will make more in the future?
Jake Gyllenhaal Now
David Schwimmer Then
Schwimmer won global recognition and became insanely popular from his time as Ross Geller on popular American sitcom, Friends. How did he start off though? His television debut occurred in ABC television movie, A Deadly Silence, in 1989. Following this he appeared in L.A Law and comedy-drama, The Wonder Years. His debut on the big screen was in 1991, in Flight of the Intruder.
David Schwimmer Then
David Schwimmer Now
Schwimmer achieved much fame during his time on Friends, becoming notorious in his role as Ross Geller. It was rumored that by the very end, each other the 6 cast members were earning $1 Million per episode! Schwimmer has been fairly quiet since Friends, but has made some TV and film appearances. Most notably, he is the voice actor of giraffe Melman, in the Madagascar franchise. He also starred in the popular television miniseries, The People v. O.J Simpson: American Crime Story.
David Schwimmer Now
Orlando Bloom Then
Having gained notoriety for many roles, he actually made his first appearance on the big screen in a minor role as a rent boy in 1997 film, Wilde. His major breakout role came as Legolas in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. He first appearance on television however was in 1994, in TV show, Casualty. He would go on to appear in three episodes during a 3 year period. He also appeared in Midsomer Murders.
Orlando Bloom Then
Orlando Bloom Now
Bloom has gone on to have an extremely successful career. Not only did he achieve much notoriety and fame with his role within Lord of The Rings, but also as Will Turner in the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise. He returned as Legolas in The Hobbit series and has been fairly active over the years. Bloom became engaged to American singer-songwriter Katy Perry in 2019 and she gave birth to their first child in August, 2020.
Orlando Bloom Now
Robert Downey Jr. Then
Robert Downey Jr. made his acting debut at the age of five in the 1970 film, Pound. This was all possible because his father, Robert Downey Sr. was the director. Downey’s early work was based in theatre however. He was even hired as part of the new young cast for Saturday Night Live in 1985. Despite it flopping and Rolling Stone labelling him the worst member of SNL, he achieved great success playing James Spader’s sidekick in Tuff Turf.
Robert Downey Jr. Then
Robert Downey Jr. Now
Despite many career setbacks during 1996-2001, where Downey was arrested many times on drug charges and spent time in rehab centers and prison, he had a career resurgence from 2001 onwards and in 2008 finally became a star of his very own blockbuster, Iron Man. Iron Man is surely Downey’s most notorious role, becoming globally beloved as he aced the role. This lead to various standalone Iron Man films, as well as Avenger movies. Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man, and it seems like he was born to play the role, excelling in the position.
Robert Downey Jr. Now
Nicholas Cage Then
Cage has been a big name in Hollywood for some time now, appearing in some greats. Cage had many family members already active in the industry when he started out, such as his uncle Francis Ford, a director. Additionally he had cousin directors in Roman Coppola and Christopher Coppola and producer Gian-Carlo Coppola. Ford is responsible for ‘The Godfather’! Cage changed his name early in his career from Coppola to Cage to avoid accusations of nepotism. His film debut was in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982.
Nicholas Cage Then
Nicholas Cage Now
Cage has had a long illustrious career, being nominated for and winning many awards. These include an Academy Award, a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Movie Award and Screen Actors Guild Award. Some of his most noteworthy movies are Leaving Las Vegas, Kick-Ass and the popular Ghost Rider films. Cage is a household name in Hollywood and is known for his quirky acting style.
Nicholas Cage Now
Woody Harrelson Then
Harrelson got his first part in the industry in Harper Valley PTA, as an Extra in 1978. His breakout role was surely Woody Boyd in Cheers, which ran from 1985-1993, and kickstarted his career. He was beloved in the role and went on to star in 196 episodes over those years.
Woody Harrelson Then
Woody Harrelson Now
Harrelson has had a great career in Hollywood, and continues to go strong! The actor has appeared in such things as Cheers, where he won two awards: ‘American Comedy Award for Funniest Newcomer – Male or Female’ and ‘American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series’. He was a main character alongside Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone in Zombieland and received recognition for his performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. He is the villain in the upcoming blockbuster film Venom: Let There Be Carnage, alongside Tom Hardy.
Woody Harrelson Now
Gerard Butler Then
Things could have gone very differently for Butler! He attended Law School at the University of Edinburgh and actually began work as a trainee lawyer at an Edinburgh law firm. His attitude let him down however and he was fired a week before fully qualifying as a lawyer. It was at 25 and being an unqualified lawyer, that he decided to move to London to pursue the dream of becoming famous. Butler’s first credited role was in 1997 in Mrs. Brown. He also had a minor role in Tomorrow Never Dies, in 1997.
Gerard Butler Then
Gerard Butler Now
Butler has hit the highest of heights during his career, starring in some highly successful films. Some of these include Reign of Fire, alongside Christian Bale, How to Train Your Dragon, the Olympus has Fallen series and popular fantasy war film, 300! His acting has seen him be nominated for many awards, not quite an Oscar or a Golden Globe though! Some of his films are pretty good though, Have you seen Law Abiding Citizen?
Gerard Butler Now
Adam Sandler Then
Sandler graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1988, and he received his first casting role before this. He played Theo Huxtable’s friend, Smitty, in The Cosby Show. His film debut came in 1989 in Going Overboard. He started off performing in comedy clubs at he age of 17, where he was discovered by comedian Dennis Miller. Miller recommended Sandler to Saturday Night Live, where he was hired as a writer. He even featured on the show the following year.
Adam Sandler Then
Adam Sandler Now
Sandler has made a name for himself as one of the top comedy writers and actors in Hollywood. He has featured in many good films, some iconic comedies. Saying this, he has also made some pretty bad comedies too. Nonetheless, they are usually a fun watch and some jokes will definitely make you laugh, even if it is silly humor. Some of his all time greats include The Waterboy (1998) and Big Daddy (1999), where he starred in, produced and wrote the scripts for both of them. This is the beginning of a long list of comedy films that he has starred in. Recently, he took us all by surprise for his amazing portrayal in Netflix movie Uncut Gems. This really showed his versatility as an actor.
Adam Sandler Now
Christian Bale Then
After a few small TV roles, Christian Bale finally earned a movie role. He was 12 years old when he scored a supporting role in a 1987 fantasy-adventure flick called Mio in the Land of Faraway. This was the first time that the actor showed us that he has what it takes to make it big in Hollywood.
Christian Bale Then
Christian Bale Now
He is easily one of the most talented men in the industry now. Over the years, Christian Bale has won two Golden Globes and an Academy Award for his work. He is known to go to great lengths to play his roles. He shocked us all with his transformation for The Machinist and Vice.
Christian Bale Now
Jack Nicholson Then
In 1958, the talented Jack Nicholson first took his talent to the big screen by appearing in The Cry Baby Killer. He was cast to play a panicked teen who hostages people under the belief that he committed murder. When the said movie came out, he was just 19 years old. Yep, it has been a while.
Jack Nicholson Then
Jack Nicholson Now
The actor has surely come a long way since those days. Jack Nicholson has seen a lot of success by starring in The Shining, The Departed, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and more. He has a Grammy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, three BAFTAs, three Oscars, and six Golden Globes to his name. Impressive, right?
Jack Nicholson Now
Tom Cruise Then
Cruise began acting in the early 1980s and broke through with prominent roles in the comedies Risky Business (1983) and Top Gun (1986). His roles in the drama flicks The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988), and Born on the Fourth of July (1989) earned him critical praise. He won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his depiction of Ron Kovic in the latter also. He starred in numerous commercially successful films in the 1990s as a top Hollywood star, including the drama A Few Good Men (1992), thriller The Firm (1993), horror Interview with the Vampire (1994), and rom-com Jerry Maguire (1996).
Tom Cruise Then
Tom Cruise Now
Now, Cruise is one of the world’s highest-paid actors, having received various accolades throughout his career, including three Golden Globe Awards and several nominations for a British Academy Film Award, as well as three Academy Awards. His films have grossed over $4 billion in North America and over $10.1 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box office stars of all time. Cruise is best known for the Mission Impossible franchise, which is already coming up on it’s seventh installment.
Tom Cruise Now
Paul Rudd Then
Rudd made his acting debut in 1992 as Kirby Quimby Philby in the television drama Sisters. He appeared in six episodes of Wild Oats in 1994 also. Rudd left Sisters in 1995 to star alongside Alicia Silverstone in the comedic picture Clueless. He has also starred as Tommy Doyle in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, The Locusts, Overnight Delivery, The Object of My Affection, and 200 Cigarettes. He was a member of the cast of The Cider House Rules, which was nominated for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 1999.
Paul Rudd Then
Paul Rudd Now
Paul Rudd just doesn’t seem to age does he? Perhaps he’s had some of whatever Jennifer Aniston is drinking! Rudd has had a long, successful career in the entertainment industry, having appeared in many television series, such as Friends, as well as many films. More recently he has achieved notoriety for his role as Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having featured in the Avengers films, as well as two of his own independent Ant-Man films. In July 2015 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was even named as part of the Forbes Celebrity 100 in 2019. People magazine named him “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2021.
Paul Rudd Now
Steve Carell Then
Carell began his acting career in a touring children’s theater company, subsequently appearing in the comedy musical Knat Scatt Private Eye, and in a 1989 television ad for the restaurant chain Brown’s Chicken. In 1991, Carell was a member of the Chicago ensemble The Second City, where Stephen Colbert served as his understudy. Carell inked a deal with NBC in 2005 to feature in The Office, the American adaptation of the British TV series by the same name. Carell played Michael Scott, the quirky regional manager of Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the series, a mockumentary about life in a mid-sized paper supply firm. NBC renewed the adaption for a second season despite low ratings in the first season because to the anticipated success of Carell’s film The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and the series went on to become a huge hit.
Steve Carrell Then
Steve Carell Now
In the 2010s, Carell began to gravitate toward more dramatic roles, with his portrayal of wrestling coach and convicted murderer John Eleuthère du Pont in the drama film Foxcatcher (2014) earning him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, among other awards. He was also nominated for Golden Globes for his leading parts in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), The Big Short (2015), and Battle of the Sexes (2017), the latter two giving him his eighth and ninth nominations, respectively.
Steve Carell Now
John Krasinski Then
Krasinski interned as a scriptwriter on Conan O’Brien’s Late Night show in 2000. Post graduation from Brown University, Krasinski moved to New York to pursue acting. While working as a waiter, he featured in commercials and guest-starred on television shows, as well as giving readings of off-Broadway plays. His former undergraduate friends Emily O’Dell and Isaac Robert Hurwitz wrote and directed the play What the Eunuch Saw, in which he starred. In 2004, Krasinski got his big break when he was cast in the NBC sitcom The Office.
John Krasinski Then
John Krasinski Now
Krasinski rose to prominence as Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office, where he also worked as a producer and director. He went on to star in and direct the drama picture Brief Interviews with Hideous Men as well as comedy-drama The Hollars in 2016. He co-wrote, directed, and starred in the critically acclaimed and financially successful horror movie A Quiet Place (2018), for which he received Critics’ Choice Movie Award and Writers Guild of America Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay. A Quiet Place Part II was likewise directed, co-produced, and written by him in 2020.
John Krasinski Now
Jason Bateman Then
In the early 1980s, Bateman appeared in the NBC drama series Little House on the Prairie, the NBC/Syndication sitcom Silver Spoons, and the NBC/CBS sitcom The Hogan Family. He rose to fame as Michael Bluth on the Fox/Netflix sitcom Arrested Development, for which he received a Golden Globe and a Satellite Award.
Jason Bateman Then
Jason Bateman Now
Later on, Bateman made his directing debut with Bad Words in 2013, in which he also featured. Since then, he’s directed and performed in films like The Family Fang (2015) and Netflix’s crime drama Ozark (2017–present). Bateman earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal in Ozark, as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2019. In the HBO miniseries The Outsider, he had a recurring role (and directed two episodes) in 2020.
Jason Bateman Now
Ricky Gervais Then
Gervais began his career in the music business. In the 1980s, he tried his hand at pop stardom as the singer of Seona Dancing, a new-wave act, and managed the then-unknown band Suede before turning to comedy. Between 1998 and 2000, he was a regular on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show, where he earned a reputation as an outspoken and sharp-witted social agitator. Meet Ricky Gervais, a Channel 4 mock discussion show, premiered in 2000. He rose to greater mainstream fame the following year with his BBC mock documentary series The Office, which he co-wrote and co-directed with Stephen Merchant, and in which he played the lead roles of David Brent (The Office) and Andy Millman (Extras), both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with Merchant.
Ricky Gervais Then
Ricky Gervais Now
Gervais is best known for co-creating, co-writing, and acting in The Office (2001–2003), a British mockumentary sitcom. He has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and has won seven BAFTA Awards, five British Comedy Awards, two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and the Rose d’Or twice (2006 and 2019). He was ranked No. 11 on Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups in 2007, and No. 3 on their list in 2010. He was included in the Time 100 list of the World’s Most Influential People in 2010. He is the creator, executive producer, director, and writer of the Netflix comedy series After Life, where he plays the lead role of Tony Johnson and has also hosted the Golden Globe Awards on several occasions.
Ricky Gervais Now
Sacha Baron Cohen Then
Cohen was hosting a weekly program on Windsor cable television’s local broadcasts with Carol Kirkwood in the early 1990s. Channel 4 advertised an open request for new television presenters in 1995, as it was contemplating a replacement for its series The Word. A producer was impressed when Baron Cohen put in a tape of himself in the role of Kristo, an Albanian fictional television reporter (who later became the Kazakh character Borat Sagdiyev). Pump TV was presented by Baron Cohen from 1995 to 1996.
Sacha Baron Cohen Then
Sacha Baron Cohen Now
Cohen is best known for the fictional satirical characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Brüno Gehard, and Admiral General Aladeen, which he created and portrayed. For his personas, he uses a variety of dialects and guises, and he interacts with unsuspecting people who are unaware that they have been set up. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2012 British Comedy Awards, which he accepted in character as Ali G. In 2013, he was honored with the BAFTA Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Comedy Excellence. He was rated one of the top 30 living comedians by The New York Times in 2018. He has also starred in dramatic films including Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Martin Scorsese’s Hugo (2011), Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables (2012), and Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).
Sacha Baron Cohen Now
Ben Stiller Then
Stiller wrote and performed as a featured artist on Saturday Night Live in 1989. He left after four episodes since the show didn’t want him to make any more short films. He then created Elvis Stories, a short film about a fictitious tabloid reporting on recent Elvis Presley sightings. Friends and co-stars John Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Mike Myers, Andy Dick, and Jeff Kahn appeared in the picture. The film was a blockbuster, and he went on to make the MTV short film Going Back to Brooklyn, which was a music video starring comedian Colin Quinn that imitated LL Cool J’s recent hit “Going Back to Cali.”
Ben Stiller Then
Ben Stiller Now
Reality Bites marked Stiller’s directorial debut. Throughout his career he has written, starred in, directed, or produced over 50 films, including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, The Cable Guy, There’s Something About Mary, the Meet the Parents trilogy, DodgeBall, Tropic Thunder, the Madagascar series, and the Night at the Museum trilogy. He’s also been in a number of music videos, television series, and movies. Stiller is a member of the so-called “Frat Pack,” a group of humorous actors. In Canada and the United States, his films have made more than $2.6 billion, with an average of $79 million per feature.
Ben Stiller Now
Dwayne Johnson Then
Johnson was a member of the University of Miami football team that won the national title in 1991. He aspired to be a professional football player, but he was passed over in the 1995 NFL Draft. He signed with the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Calgary Stampeders, but was released after his first season. Johnson’s father Rocky and maternal grandpa Peter Maivia both worked as professional wrestlers, and he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1996. After adopting the gimmick of a charismatic trash-talker, he came to stardom and helped usher in the Attitude Era, a period of industry development in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Dwayne Johnson Then
Dwayne Johnson Now
Johnson is widely recognized as one of the best professional wrestlers of all time, having wrestled for WWE for eight years before turning to acting. His films have grossed over $3.5 billion in North America and over $10.5 billion globally, making him one of the highest-paid and highest-grossing performers in the world. Johnson has starred in such films as Jumanji, The Fast and Furious franchise and Moana.
Dwayne Johnson Now
Chris Pratt Then
Pratt dropped out of community college halfway through the first semester and wound up homeless in Maui, Hawaii, staying in a van and a tent on the beach after working as a cheap ticket salesperson and daytime stripper. Rae Dawn Chong, an actress and filmmaker, spotted Pratt while he was waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant in Maui when he was 19 years old. She cast him in her directorial debut, Cursed Part 3, a short horror film shot in Los Angeles. On the show Everwood, Pratt played Harold Brighton “Bright” Abbott, who was his first regular television role. He joined the cast of The O.C. during its fourth season after Everwood was canceled, playing activist Winchester “Ché” Cook.
Chris Pratt Then
Christ Pratt Now
Pratt rose to fame as Andy Dwyer in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), for which he gained critical praise and was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. Pratt has appeared in Jurassic World (2015) and its sequel Fallen Kingdom (2018), as well as The Magnificent Seven, Passengers (both 2016), and The Tomorrow War (2021). Pratt reprised his Marvel role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019) in addition to the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023),
Chris Pratt Now
Will Smith Then
The movie industry welcomed Will Smith when he starred in Where the Day Takes You. It is a 1992 movie that follows teenage runaways in Los Angeles. This role allowed him to leave behind his The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air origins, which is probably the project that he was best known for.
Will Smith Then
Will Smith Now
In the past few decades, we have seen Will Smith star in Bad Boys, The Pursuit of Happyness, I, Robot, and more. He has enjoyed an unpredictable career with interesting roles. The actor has also received two Academy Award and five Golden Globe nominations. Thanks to his music career, he has also bagged six American Music Awards and four Grammys.
Will Smith Now